Transforming for a new role is a common part of an actor’s job, but sometimes it comes with its challenges. Michelle Monaghan, who plays Jaclyn in season three of The White Lotus, found herself adjusting her naturally brown hair to fit the character’s look—blonde.
In an exclusive interview with People, Monaghan shared her initial concerns about the change. “I’m a dark brunette. And I knew that Mike really wanted me to be blonde,” she explained. “I was like, ‘Of course I’ll do whatever you want.’ But I was worried about having to go back to being brunette for a film afterward. I was concerned about maintaining blonde hair for months while filming in Thailand.”
To manage the upkeep of her new blonde look, Monaghan flew out her hairstylist, Tracey Cunningham, to Thailand every couple of months for a touch-up. “We were really grateful because my hair, despite being treated so heavily, maintained its health,” Monaghan said. Once filming ended, she returned to her brunette hair for an upcoming project, with Cunningham helping her transition back to brown.
Monaghan’s character, Jaclyn, is part of a trio of old friends who reunite for a girls’ trip at the White Lotus resort. The friends—Jaclyn, played by Monaghan, Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon)—quickly fall into gossip and drama.
Monaghan reflected on her role, saying, “It was so fun being Jaclyn, because she’s a departure from me, especially in terms of look. She loves the makeup, the pink tan, and the blonde hair. She’s all about looking perfect, and it was a really fun role to play.”
